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Thursday, 9 September 2010

Last night's meeting of North Staffs TUC heard from Bill Greenshields of Derbyshire Cuba Network and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign speak, funnily enough, on Cuba. As readers can imagine Bill's talk was unashamedly pro-Cuba, but this is an important corrective to received notions that have it as a gulag with palm trees - a view assiduously cultivated by the US state department, right wing Cuban exiles, and intellectually dishonest ex-lefts.

Bill opened with a very quick overview of the Cuban system, touching on the statutory right to work, the 1:650 doctor/general population ratio, the strength and depth of social solidarity, and its avoidance of personality cults and dogmatism characteristic of similar societies. If we realise how all this is possible in a poor country under the lash of an economic blockade then, Bill argued, we can also understand why the USA sees Cuba as a threat.

As a former leading member of the National Union of Teachers, most of Bill's talk focused on Cuba's education system. We were given the impression this extends far beyond formal schooling and HE. Crucial to retaining mass support for the Cuban revolution are the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution. These community organisations, working in conjunction with the other mass organisations (the party, the federation of women, the young pioneers, and the unions) are responsible for community events and officially tasked with maintaining high rates of "morality" (i.e. social solidarity).

Pre-school begins at the age of three, with compulsory schooling kicking in at six. This ends at 15 with a guaranteed job for every school-leaver. The way education is done will be quite different to the experiences of readers of this blog. Central to it is 'emulation'. Instead of a system based around competitive exams the emphasis is one educating the collective. If a group of students grasp something in advance of others, the expectation is they will work to help the rest of the class get it. If a section of the class still can't understand it then no one passes the set task. This has led to a reconfiguring of competition between students - instead of awards based on grades, praise is conferred on those who seek to lead emulation.

There is, however, something of a teacher shortage on the island. Education policy is committed to reducing class sizes to 15 for primary and 20 for secondary schooling. The situation is complicated by attempts at integrating disabled children from special schools into the mainstream system: they are guaranteed by statute one-to-one teaching, therefore while integration does take place it is rare.

Apart from the discussion of education and digressions into the health system, Bill gave us a good sense of Cuban social relations. While it is true there are political prisoners and penalties for those who criticise the system, society is more cohesive and solidaristic than in advanced capitalist states. How this manifests itself in education and elsewhere deserve careful study by socialists outside Cuba.

Personally speaking I am always wary of solidarity campaign talks, as they're usually structured around guided tours that show the country in question in the best light. But even with my critical hat on Bill's presentation did an excellent job showing that Cuba, despite its problems and less than spotless record on democratic rights, is a different kind of society. If Cuba is a living example of what can be achieved on a small island under conditions of economic autarchy, imagine the kinds of achievements within our reach if this was married to greater deomcratisation and available resources.

I don't think Cuba is socialist, but it does prefigure some features of future socialist societies. For this reason, despite its flaws, Cuba deserves the solidarity and support of labour movements everywhere.

It's a fair enough point, but the whole point of the Cuban revolution is that the revolution is neither over and more importantly, not open to question.Those dissenters that wish to leave are allowed to leave.

I have to say, how can your (not mine) party claim to be socialist when you disallow your own members a vote?

Who is the Labour Party to speak of Socialism?(I'm rehearsing for my TV appearance)

"How can a society that locks up its dissenters be described as socialist?"

Maybe it's something like the early Soviet Union, in which some people were also treated unfairly, and which Lenin variously described as a "workers state with bureaucratic deformations" and "state capitalist".

I.e, as Trotsky would also have agreed, a transitional society in which the rule of capital has been overthrown, but which as a poor country in a capitalist world can't advance to a classless society. And with a revolutionary (if imperfect) leadership that has obviously done better so far in resisting the massive pressure to return to capitalism than the Stalinised workers states.

It's also important to remember that the country has been at war with the most powerful country on earth for over 50 years; a country that has attempted invasion once, sheltered those who have downed civilian airliners, and pays organisation inside Cuba to try and undermine the government - something I think you will find is an offence which lands one in prison in most if not all countries.

That is not to excuse the imprisoning of dissidents. But to sit in a nuclear-armed liberal democracy and decry the Cubans leadership as 'monsters' for locking up around 200 citizens (again not excusing it) in a country of 11 million which is at war with the most powerful country on earth, is, as Phil put is, somewhat intellectually dishonest.

Your article is very misleading "but this is an important corrective to received notions that have it as a gulag with palm trees - a view assiduously cultivated by the US state department, right wing Cuban exiles, and intellectually dishonest ex-lefts."

This is not something that is painted by "right wing Cuban exiles" in fact it is the truth as can be demonstrated by the millions (2) out of a population of 11 million who have risked their lives to flee the country.

Realistically, Cubans are not permitted to travel without government permission, and it is incorrect to state, as Gary does, that "Those dissenters that wish to leave are allowed to leave."

Furthermore, the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) are far from being "Community Organizations". They are more similar to spy committees who report back to the intelligence division of the country on any citizens who are a threat to the revolution, considered as such by any of the following: -eating beef-speaking about up about any injustice -plans to leave the country-organizing a group of more than 2 people for anything not approved by the CDR-self employment not authorized by the State-etc...

It is true to state that PEOPLE ARE STARVING in CUBA, as they are in many other places around the world. But in Cuba, no one has the ability to determine their destiny or work towards a better life, which in essence creates the prison-like conditions often references by the exile community.

"This is not something that is painted by "right wing Cuban exiles" in fact it is the truth as can be demonstrated by the millions (2) out of a population of 11 million who have risked their lives to flee the country."

I struggle to see how emigration from Cuba to America sets Cuba apart from Capitalist states such as Mexico, where a similar number of citizens attempt to flee to the United States. Then there is the fact that Cubans are encouraged to do so by US 'wet foot, dry foot' policy, and the special benefits for Cuban migrants to the US which are unavailable to the citizens of other countries.

"Realistically, Cubans are not permitted to travel without government permission"

Which is extremely easy to get. Most Cubans can't travel because they cannot afford to do so and cannot get visas from the countries they would wish to visit - i.e. UK, Europe, the US.

"eating beef"

This is extremely dishonest or unthinking. The reason beef is prohibited is because of the value of cow's milk to Cuban children. Cuba is not a country where it is possible for cows to be killed for meat because the milk is of a much greater value.

"-speaking about up about any injustice-plans to leave the country"

My partner is Cuban and every time I visit Cuba people repeatedly speak about the problems the country faces. I don't know where the impression that this doesn't occur comes from. Likewise with those wishing to leave.

"It is true to state that PEOPLE ARE STARVING in CUBA, as they are in many other places around the world. But in Cuba, no one has the ability to determine their destiny or work towards a better life, which in essence creates the prison-like conditions often references by the exile community."

The idea that people are starving in Cuba is pure hogwash. I do not agree with complete state control as exists in Cuba, but to state that people are starving is absurd and leads me to ask, have you even been to Cuba? I have, 8 times over the past 10 years, and my wife is Cuban.

Yes, things are difficult. But have you been to Mexico, Jamaica, Columbia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil etc etc etc...?

I wouldn't say that Cuba isn't Socialist because it locks up dissenters. I can imagine a Socialist socety also locking up dissenters if need be. Cuba is not Socialist because workers do not control the means of production, because they do not control the State, because thier is a lack of basic worekrs democracy, because Socialism is not possible in a single country let alone a small island like Cuba, even were it not facing the other problems it has with the US.

Having said that, I was in Cuba a few years ago. I was amazed at the level of education of the people working at the Hotel. One waiter I spoke to could speak fluently in 7 languages. His Father spoke 9. The funny thing was that there are a lot of Canadians who go to Cuba, a lot of the hotels are part Canadian owned.

One one occasion I was spoeaking to a Canadian who commented that the trouble there was that the only people who could get on were the ones who were well-educated! An odd thing we might think for someone to say, but an indication of how pervasive bouregois ideology is. Its okay to be able to get on, of course, if you lack merit, provided you have Capital, or your parents have Capital, in a Capitalist society.

Gary, you should not confuse the right of members of the LP to criticise others lack of Socialism with the Party's right to do so. After all many of us also criticise the LP for not being socialist. I heard Tony Benn say only the other night on Newsnight his oft repeated statement that the LP has never been Socialist, but has always had socialists in it. Some of us just have more endurance than others when we lose to keep fighting, and have a longer view that extends beyond our own political fortunes.

James, You are obviously a sympathizer of the regime. I know there will be no headway made with disagreeing with you.

Nevertheless, let's set the record straight:

1. Emigration from Cuba occurs to MANY countries, far beyond America. To state that it only happens because of the wet-foot dry-foot policy is pure b.s.

2. Government permission to travel is NOT easily obtained, UNLESS you are a member of the nomenclature. Heck, I even know Germans residents in Cuba who have had a difficult time getting permission to leave...

3. Eating Beef is NOT illegal because of Milk. You obviously don't know the difference between "BEEF Cattle" versus "Dairy Cows".

4. Freedom of Speech: Did you not hear about PANIFILO, the poor drunk bastard caught on tape complaining about the lack of food in Cuba who was subsequently jailed and only released because of an international outcry??? Freedom of speech is well afforded to certain people in the regime, typically Fidel, Raul, and Mariela Castro.

5. Your travels to Cuba are obviously centered around Havana. There are PLENTY of people who don't have access to food. Even the highest echelons of the Cuban government and the UN have stated that there is a food crisis in Cuba...

Nothing new here, sadly (in the post or in the comments), though I did laugh at the juxtaposition of a tribute to Cuba’s “avoidance of personality cults and dogmatism” with a photo of a vast image of Che Guevara. If you really must waste space on tired and transparent propaganda for a Stalinist regime, worthy of Andy Newman at his silliest, you should at least try to be more careful than he is about how you illustrate it.

(contd.) BTW, as they say, I'm not the same Anonymous as the one who has been making a number of serious points that, curiously, none of you Castro fanboys are able to answer calmly or truthfully. One difference between us is that he retains some faith in the idea that any of you might actually want to have your precious illusions shattered by boring old facts. Oh, the British left - so idealistic, so gullible, so fucking useless.

"James, You are obviously a sympathizer of the regime. I know there will be no headway made with disagreeing with you."

Ah the old accuse your opponent of brainwashed bias approach, good to see a classic still going strong.

"Emigration from Cuba occurs to MANY countries, far beyond America. To state that it only happens because of the wet-foot dry-foot policy is pure b.s."

He actually didn't say that at all. He merely pointed out that the Wetfoot Dryfoot provides extra incentives for economic migration from Cuba to the US that is all.

"Government permission to travel is NOT easily obtained, UNLESS you are a member of the nomenclature. Heck, I even know Germans residents in Cuba who have had a difficult time getting permission to leave..."

It is true that travel restrictions are in place. However given the long history of international terrorism the Island has faced they do have some legitimacy here.

"Eating Beef is NOT illegal because of Milk. You obviously don't know the difference between "BEEF Cattle" versus "Dairy Cows".

Apparently neither do you. There isn't really a distinction, you can use a cow for both during its live time. Beef cattle are cows that have been bred specially for carving up and constant birthing which is necessary for milking lessens the quality of the meat hence the separation. Though in a pinch you can usually make the swap.

However due to the higher costs and only long term profits associated with purely beef cattle many poorer farmers prioritise dairy cows since it gives them guaranteed income and replacement livestock.

I'm curious though if the prohibition on Beef isn't the result of the Cuban governments position to prioritise milk supplies over beef (quite a sensible position in my view) then why is it prohibited?

"Your travels to Cuba are obviously centered around Havana."

You don't actually know that.

"There are PLENTY of people who don't have access to food. Even the highest echelons of the Cuban government and the UN have stated that there is a food crisis in Cuba..."

Well then why don't you cite them? I'm sure the if the U.N. had information on a current food crises it would of drawn some attention from the Anti-Cuba lobby, especially if it was backed up by government sources.

The only time I've heard of any serious food shortages in Cuba was during the 90's when all its trading partners collapsed and its access to food and fuel was severally cut.

"James, You are obviously a sympathizer of the regime. I know there will be no headway made with disagreeing with you."

Ah the old accuse your opponent of brainwashed bias approach, good to see a classic still going strong.

"Emigration from Cuba occurs to MANY countries, far beyond America. To state that it only happens because of the wet-foot dry-foot policy is pure b.s."

He actually didn't say that at all. He merely pointed out that the Wetfoot Dryfoot provides extra incentives for economic migration from Cuba to the US that is all.

"Eating Beef is NOT illegal because of Milk. You obviously don't know the difference between "BEEF Cattle" versus "Dairy Cows".

Apparently neither do you. There isn't really a distinction, you can use a cow for both during its live time. Beef cattle are cows that have been bred specially for carving up and constant birthing which is necessary for milking lessens the quality of the meat hence the separation. Though in a pinch you can usually make the swap.

However due to the higher costs and only long term profits associated with purely beef cattle many poorer farmers prioritise dairy cows since it gives them guaranteed income and replacement livestock.

I'm curious though if the prohibition on Beef isn't the result of the Cuban governments position to prioritise milk supplies over beef (quite a sensible position in my view) then why is it prohibited?

"Your travels to Cuba are obviously centered around Havana."

You don't actually know that.

"There are PLENTY of people who don't have access to food. Even the highest echelons of the Cuban government and the UN have stated that there is a food crisis in Cuba..."

Well then why don't you cite them? I'm sure the if the U.N. had information on a current food crises it would of drawn some attention from the Anti-Cuba lobby, especially if it was backed up by government sources.

The only time I've heard of any serious food shortages in Cuba was during the 90's when all its trading partners collapsed and its access to food and fuel was severally cut.

I'm not wrong in saying that Cuban dissenters or otherwise are permitted to leave, as they are allowed to leave.It is the US which continues to frustrate the process of migration by continually issuing a shortfall in visas.I'd like proof of starving Cubans considering they are all issued with food vouchers.

'There are Millions of children sleeping on the streets all over the world tonight. Not one of them is in Cuba' (billboard Havana airport)

Boffy, like you, I refuse to belong to a party that says it's Socialist and then bends a minority vote to win at all costs.They should be expelled and not me.

"Nothing new here, sadly (in the post or in the comments), though I did laugh at the juxtaposition of a tribute to Cuba’s “avoidance of personality cults and dogmatism” with a photo of a vast image of Che Guevara."

I'm not sure you know this but its common practice for supporters of regimes systems and nations to venerate a hero figure. Look at the veneration for George Washington just 50 years after achieving independence or all the lavish murals and portraits monarchs commissioned of themselves. Hell look at Nelson's column and the level of celebration the Navy dedicates to Trafalgar 200 years hence.

Also Guevara is dead and has been for a while so how can be a cult of personality when the personality no longer exists?

"I'm not the same Anonymous as the one who has been making a number of serious points that,"

points that have little to no evidence and some of which have only been heard of in the pages of the Miami herald. But since you seem to agree with the other anon then perhaps you could furnish us with the "real" reason why the Cuban government discourages beef eating, or how about those UN reports and Cuban minister quotes referring to a recent famine?

"One difference between us is that he retains some faith in the idea that any of you might actually want to have your precious illusions shattered by boring old facts"

Err again what facts? the only thing he/she said that has been confirmed was that Cubans migrate to other countries, and there are travel restrictions, his/her main arguments revolve around a supposed famine of which they supply no evidence.

SOURCE: UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME- Cuba Country PageThe main public health problem is anaemia, with a prevalence in the east of 56,7% among children under the age of 24 months and 20,1% amongst those between the ages of 2 and 5.

There are a number of reasons for this, the main ones being: i) inadequate food intake; ii) parasitic or infectious diseases; iii) dearth of iron-rich food; iv) difficulties in access to food; v) insufficient knowledge of anemia; vi) inadequate use of dietary supplements; vii) deficiencies in water and sanitation; y viii) inadequate hygiene practices, which inhibits iron absorption.

WOW- WOULDN'T You know, the NUMBER 1 Reason is INADEQUATE FOOD INTAKE!! What a SURPRISE!

If you require MORE proof, please just google the words "Cuba food shortage" Granma- which is the Cuban state run newspaper and you will find over 70,000 results.

By the way, you must read the news more, the ration books have not served their purposes since the 90's and are being eliminated for all except children and elderly...

By the way, I am a SHE and I am NOT the same person as the 2nd Anonymous.

Aren't there 40 million Americans on food stamps right now because of a crisis of capitalism? Maybe they should flee to Cuba and see how the rations compare. Does the land of the free still make it a criminal offence for US citizens to visit Cuba?

The position of a few hundred dissenters should have little influence on how we analyse and define the state Cuba's revolution finds itself in.

Just as capitalism can coexist equally in both New York City and the slums and violence of Cairo or Bangkok, socialism is not a question of the exercise of political power or the distribution of wealth: these are the consequences of political economy, not their cause.

Cuba is not socialist simply because it does not plan production according to the needs of its people - because of its isolation, the lack of democratic control of the economic apparatus, the need to counter the continuing threat of US aggression by expenditure on the army and police etc. All these are historically determined but not inevitable facts; however they cannot be ignored.

Equally it is not capitalist; commodity production is subordinated to the bureaucracy's political line, which in turn is guided by nationalist considerations and the threat of both domestic unrest and foreign intervention.

Most important is the material poverty of Cuba. Socialism cannot exist in conditions of scarcity.

A bureaucratic caste, in charge of managing the distribution of Cuba's too-few resources (and getting the lion's share for its troubles), must and will exist until Cuba becomes once again part of the global political economy and benefits from the international division of labour.

This can happen either through the restoration of capitalism and the transformation of the Communist apparatus into a property-owning class with rights of inheritance, or by the spread of planned and democratic economy through the international triumph of socialism.

Cuba is neither capitalist nor socialist; it is a transitional regime and cannot help being so, because it cannot solve its own problems in isolation.

Of course we want people to be able to speak and protest freely without the threat of imprisonment or exile. But the existence of repression in Cuba is not a matter of principles but absolute necessity if Cuba is to avoid its brutal reincorporation into the globalised capitalist system. It is a question of tactics.